Othello

Danisa Valdez
EN 102
Tue & Thu 10 – 12
Doctor Lanner
Reputation: Easier Kept than Recovered The play Othello written by William Shakespeare reveals the importance of a person’s reputation. A reputation is an opinion about the character, typically a result of social evaluation on a set of criteria, of a person. “Reputation may be considered as a component of identity as defined by others.” (Reputation Management) In Othello all the characters’ public images are crucial to their existence. The play is based on a tragic love that ends in death because of manipulation, lies and deceit. The characters identities/ roles give them a distinct place in the play and their sense of self recognition. There are several characters in specific that stand out because of the importance of their reputation in their lives. Michael Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier who is ashamed after losing his place as lieutenant; Othello depends on his reputation as a noble hero; Iago needs to maintain an honest reputation. “Cassio 's changing reputation played a big role in the play.” (The Role of Reputation) Reputation was everything to Cassio, but once demoted he began to act differently and couldn 't face Othello. Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant, who holds a high position, is much resented by Iago (Othello’s ensign). As a result, Iago hatches his plan to defeat him. Cassio is truly devoted to Othello and is remorseful after being implicated in a drunken brawl. Iago leads Cassio into committing an action that will disgrace him. Iago encourages the young soldier to give in to his weakness (drinking) and taking advantage of situation, he manipulates another soldier into insulting Cassio, in hopes of stirring up a fight. Once the fight starts, Othello arrives immediately taking control of the situation. At that point dismisses Cassio from his service because of his negligent action. (2: 3: 55-200 ) While confiding in Iago in complete dismay, Cassio says “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! / I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. / My reputation, Iago, my reputation!” (2: 3: 240) After that event, Cassio feels as though he may never recover and a big part of his life was taken away. He immediately fell into mortification. Not only did Cassio’s reckless action lead to losing his respected position but it also tainted the possibility of leaving a divine mark on Earth.
Othello’s reputation as a respected and serious military general plays a vital role in the plot. It had both a positive and negative impact in his life. It saved him when he had to face Desdemona’s father. Othello’s reputation saves him from the confrontation with Desdemona’s father Barbantio, as well as won him a wife. He proved this when he was confronted with stealing Desdemona away from him. The Duke and the senators listened to Othello when he stated, “She loved me for the dangers I had passed,/ And I loved her that she did pity them./ This only is the witchcraft I have used” (1: 3: 169-171). Othello told the senators this to show Desdemona was won over based solely on Othello’s reputation and his brave history. On the other hand, his reputation also played a large role in the deaths of many characters. If his reputation weren’t so important to him, the play probably would have ended differently. Othello becomes distraught after hearing from Iago the idea of Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio that he becomes furious, and his personality changes for the worst. "I will chop her into messes! Cuckold me?" (4: 1: 187) He is beyond surprised when he thinks that his beloved would do something so terrible to their relationship. Because he values his reputation so much, he let his pride block out all calm thoughts. Fearing the risk of his reputation being tarnished when found out that he is a “cuckold,” he doesn’t allow himself to rationally talk to Desdemona. The thought drove him insane, to the point that he felt that it was necessary to kill his wife. Othello believed that reputation was everything, because everyone respected him. Othello 's reputation plays a big role in the outcome of the play and in the death of Desdemona. He proves that his reputation is important to him by saying, "For naught I did in hate, but all in honor.”(5: 2: 304) Iago 's reputation also influenced his actions in the play. Because of his honest reputation, everyone thought of him as a noble man. Characters often refers to his honesty; Cassio “You advise me well… goodnight honest Iago.” (2: 3: 298) and Othello “I know, Iago, / Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, /” (2: 3: 225-226). This quote shows how Iago has tainted Othello’s mind into thinking Iago is on his side. Iago convinces everyone that he is noble and sincere man and he uses this to his advantage. "When devils will the blackest sins put on, / they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, /" (2: 3: 314-315). Iago constantly establishes his reputation as being truthful because of his reliability and direct speaking, by pretending to be helpful and loyal to his friends. Without this cover he would never have been able to get Othello to believe that Desdemona would cheat on him. Suggesting that Desdemona would cheat on him (Othello), he probably would have killed Iago if it weren’t for his reputation. Nobody suspects that Iago is a dishonest man and would plot to destroy the lives of several characters in such a sly way. A dishonest reputation, would have never had allowed him to deceive Cassio and cause the death of Desdemona and eventually Othello. Shakespeare shows us Iago as a character who acts against his reputation. He manipulating the other characters and exploits their weaknesses, which allows his plan to unfold. “Iago 's deception is potent because of his patience, his cleverness, and what seems to be his intrinsic love of elegant manipulation.” (Othello Theme) This proves how vital a characters reputation is in this play.
In Othello, reputation is so vital that the characters’ become prisoners of their reputations. They are metaphorically shackled to the expectations others anticipate from them. In regards to Othello, his obsession with keeping his reputation cost him his life. Iago does everything around the fact that he is a hypocrite. He constantly does the opposite of what he says or advises. Ultimately he died because he could not maintain his reputation. Lastly, Cassio’s reputation allows him to end in triumph because of his motivation to rise in ranks. His dedication to his good reputation left him victorious.
Reputation is an inevitable part of life. It helps people determine who to trust and the judgments they make regarding a person. To some, their reputation is a blessing because of positive attributes. To others, it can be an incurable sickness. In William Shakespeare 's Othello, the characters Othello, Iago, and Cassio show just how important one 's reputation can be. Reputation interferes with judgment of characters. The reputations of these characters played big roles in the outcome of the play. A reputation takes years to build and only a moment to destroy, like Cassio’s single drunken night. In Iago’s words: “Reputation is an idle and most false impression: oft got without merit and lost without deserving.” (2: 3: 245-247)

Works Cited

“Reputation Management Online” 16 Feb. 2011 Reputation Management Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
Shakespeare, William. “Othello” Backpack Literature X. J. Kennedy, & Dana Gioia. Boston: Longman, 2012. 762-875. Print.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "Othello Theme of Manipulation" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 8 May 2013.
“The Role of Reputation in Shakespeare’s Othello” 2011 Importance of Reputation in Othello Web. 29 Apr. 2013

Cited: “Reputation Management Online” 16 Feb. 2011 Reputation Management Web. 29 Apr. 2013. Shakespeare, William. “Othello” Backpack Literature X. J. Kennedy, & Dana Gioia. Boston: Longman, 2012. 762-875. Print. Shmoop Editorial Team. "Othello Theme of Manipulation" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 8 May 2013. “The Role of Reputation in Shakespeare’s Othello” 2011 Importance of Reputation in Othello Web. 29 Apr. 2013